Clothing That Tells Your Story

The Great Model Shoot

Last year, I went to an event called The Great Model Shoot. It’s a monthly event where, for a small cover fee, tons of models and photographers all get together. There are people new to both fields, professionals, and everywhere in between. There are also about a half a dozen hair stylists and makeup artists there, helping everybody to look fabulous. It’s an event designed to build portfolios, network, and learn from your peers. I was there that day as a designer, providing some of my clothing designs to the models, which allowed for some more unique shots for them and the photographers. And at the same time, it enabled me to get some more professional pictures to use on the Storied Threads website, which is always a good thing.

Model: Carol Persons. Photograph by Stetson Mentzer.

I enjoyed the day I spent there, got good pictures, and made some new contacts. Every month, I intend to go back again, but the timing just never seems to work out. Either it coincides with a show, or I’m hip deep in building stock, or I’ve just finished a show and have nothing to bring for outfits.

The other day, one of the organizers of the event IM’d me while I was tooling around Facebook. The next event is coming up later this month, and he asked me if there was any chance I could make it. He said he’s trying to make this next shoot their biggest and best yet, and having some fun new things there would help. He even threw in some flattery – “Everybody loved your stuff last time!”

Model: Steph Galvin. Photograph by Benjamin Carter.

I thought about it, and the fact is, I DO have some things I’d like to get pictures of — I need some awesome bellydance / harem shots of the Jasmine Jackets. “Any chance we could get a hookah?” I asked him. “And a ton of floor pillows?” He said he’d see what he could do — and then, like the sneaky bastard I’m learning he can be, posted in the GMS site asking for those props “for a shoot Veronica wants to do at the next event”.

Well! Now I’m roped in, aren’t I? Not that this is a bad thing — I DO need those pictures. And it’s also inspiring me to use my vacation from the day job next week to build a prototype of the Captain Nemo jacket I have in my head (and in a sketch pinned to the wall of the studio), which I think will be a great companion piece to the Jasmine stuff.

And who knows? Maybe I’ll even model something myself, if I feel so brave!